Program Engagement Co-Facilitator - McCain Centre-camh

Based in Child, Youth and Emerging Adult Program, the donor funded McCain Centre is focused on enhancing and improving the design, delivery and effectiveness of mental health and addictions care systems, services and policies for children, youth and families. The McCain Centre combines evidence-based and innovative research approaches to ensure strong child, youth, family and other stakeholder voices in their initiatives.

The McCain Centre is currently a seeking part-time, contract (6 months) Program Engagement Co-Facilitators. Reporting to the McCain Centre Manager and working closely with the Youth Engagement Coordinator and as part of a team, the successful candidate will draw from their own lived/living experience with mental health and/or substance use challenges (patient, consumer, survivor, service user, family member) as well as a broader system level perspective within system and service planning, education and research activities at CAMH and in the broader community. The Co-Facilitators will work alongside service providers, education and research staff to ensure that project and program goals, staffing, activities and outcomes are more relevant and better reflect the needs of people with lived/living experience.

The Co-Facilitators will be responsible for co-facilitating advisory group meetings, focus groups and consultations with broader groups of people with lived/living expertise, including supporting a network of Advisors at CAMH. Co-Facilitators will work alongside the Youth Engagement Coordinator and additional staff to provide mentorship for Advisors so they are able to actively participate and represent a service user perspective in program activities. The Co-Facilitators will also contribute to knowledge translation and education activities, including the development of trainings, infographics, tip sheets, webinars, videos, etc. Co-Facilitators will support social media engagement and will be responsible for contributing to blog posts and developing newsletters. Successful candidates will also support administrative tasks related to engagement activities as needed, including the recruitment and onboarding of new Advisors.

Successful applicants will support a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, encourages teamwork and complies with all applicable regulatory and legislative requirements. This position is located at 80 Workman Way, although some of the work may take place at 250 College Street and in community settings. This role will require occasional evening and weekend hours.

Co-Facilitators will have a minimum of 12 months experience supporting/connecting with people with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges. Co-Facilitators will be a youth/young adult (aged 18-29) and will have lived experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use services. Co-Facilitators will have prior experience working with youth/young adults. Experience belonging to groups, agencies or organizations related to peer support, consumer survivor initiatives is an asset. Familiarity with the mental health and substance use field and proven experience in facilitating focus groups or other consultations with a broad range of participants is considered an asset. Experience in supporting safe and meaningful engagement and being open to diverse ways of thinking about, understanding and articulating issues related to mental health and addictions is an asset. Proven verbal and written communication skills are required. Professionalism, a positive attitude, and the ability to work effectively as a team member as well as independently are all requirements. Experience of working within a co-creation model, where power-sharing and inclusion among a diverse group of experts are integral to the success of the project, is an asset. Experience in working within participatory action research and/or patient-oriented research is desirable. Successful candidates will possess strong organizational and time management skills. The ability to work with stakeholders of diverse ethno-racial and cultural backgrounds is essential, as is an appreciation of diversity. A high degree of familiarity with MS Office, e-mail and social media are required. Bilingualism (French/English) or proficiency in a second language would be considered an asset.